The official tally is that 23 NYPD officers lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terror attacks — but 45 cops have died of cancer since then, and hundreds more are battling the disease.

Because doctors have not linked their cases to their time spent at Ground Zero, they are not eligible for federal compensation under the Zadroga Law.

“We know with absolute certainty that our members were exposed to unprecedented levels of cancer-causing materials when they responded to the call without concern for their own well-being,” said Pat Lynch, head of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association.

“Logic and common sense dictates that cancer should be included under the Zadroga Law. These men and women are sick and dying today. They cannot wait for science to catch up with common sense.”